GLOBUS OFFERS SAVINGS FOR CLIENTS, GIFT CERTIFICATES FOR AGENTS
Globus (www.globusfamilypartner.com) will cut $200 per person off the cost of an air-inclusive tour package operated by any of its brands—Globus, Cosmos, Monograms or Avalon—if booked by February 29. Travel must begin by October 31. 
As an incentive for agents, the company will give them a $25 GiftCertificates.com SuperCertificate for booking any 2008 Globus Food & Wine vacation by February 29 (travel may be taken anytime during the year). The SuperCertificate can be redeemed online for gift cards at varied popular retailers.
Globus introduced its culinary-themed Food & Wine packages this year. The five itineraries worldwide were developed in conjunction with Burt Wolf, host of TV food and travel shows. One of them is an 11-day trip with Avalon, Globus' river cruise division, called "Flavors of Burgundy & Provence." It features a seven-night cruise aboard Avalon Scenery from Chalon-sur-Saône to Arles, including a day in Lyon (right). The trip begins in Paris and ends in Nice. Rate without international airfare begins at $2,059.
A new escorted tour from Globus offers the unusual combination of Italy and eastern Europe. This 13-day trip travels to Rome, Florence and Venice and then onto Vienna, Budapest, Prague and Berlin. It is priced from $2,399 land-only. For details on Globus' promotions and tours, call 866-270-9850.
Deluxe Tour of Albania
Luxury tour operator Travcoa (www.travcoa.com) has scheduled four departures this year of its new 16-day "Albania, Macedonia & Beyond" escorted tour. The "beyond" is northern Greece, where the tour visits Thessaloniki, Ioannina and Meteora. There also are three days in Macedonia. But the majority of time is devoted to Albania, a country that was closed to tourism until the 1990s. Guests will explore the capital of Tirana and go to Berat's hilltop fortress and Durres' Roman amphitheater. Other Albanian destinations include Apollonia, founded more than 2,000 years ago, and prehistoric Butrint, which has the best-preserved ruins in the country. A gala dinner is held in a 17th-century castle. Departures are May 16, May 23, September 5 and October 3. Price of $7,995 per person double covers hotels, sightseeing, all meals and gratuities. Airfare to Tirana, where the tour begins, and out of Thessaloniki, where it ends, is additional. Call 800-992-2005.
Austrian Airlines Expands Russian Route Network
If you're planning a comprehensive trip to Russia for clients, you will have more flight options from Austrian Airlines (www.austrian.com) starting in the spring. The carrier is launching service in April from Vienna to Sochi, on the Black Sea, and to Nizhniy Novgorod, Russia's fourth largest city, located on the Volga River. The flights will operate aboard Fokker 70 aircraft. Austrian, one of the first Western airlines to serve Moscow, also flies to St. Petersburg, Krasnodar, Rostov and Yekaterinburg and has the only nonstop service to Vienna from New York, Chicago, Washington and Toronto. Agents can call 800-956-7725 for more information.
GOLDEN TULIP ADDS TWO HOTELS IN AMSTERDAM
Golden Tulip (www.goldentulip.com), the Dutch hospitality company with some 85 properties in its home country, is expanding in the capital of Amsterdam (pictured below). A former Ramada has been rebranded Tulip Inn Amsterdam City Centre. It's walking distance to Dam Square, the shopping thoroughfare Kalverstraat and the train station. The 106-room hotel has renovated its lobby and will commence room refurbishment in March. 
Meanwhile, construction has begun on Amsterdam Fashion, a Golden Tulip hotel due to open in spring 2009. It will have 272 guest rooms and be located across from the World Fashion Centre.
Golden Tulip operates 10 other properties in Amsterdam. Between its five-star Royal Tulip, four-star Golden Tulip and three-star Tulip Inn brands, the group has more than 900 hotels in 50 countries worldwide. Call 800-528-9000.